BOBBY CONVEY will get a run-out tonight as Reading bring the curtain down on their pre-season campaign at home to Premiership side Manchester City (kick off 8pm).

The new £800,000 signing from DC United has shrugged off an inter-muscular haematoma injury and, although he will not start, the winger will be unleashed at some stage.

Coppell told the Evening Post this morning: "Bobby will play a part. His fitness levels are okay. The thing that is really going to influence what part he plays is the fact it's been a real hard week for him.

"He's had to fly backwards and forwards to America to sort out all the paperwork, say his goodbyes and he still doesn't know all his new team-mates' names.

"It's been hectic for him and I remind people he's not come here as a Messiah - he's just another player for the squad, albeit hopefully an important player.

"People should not put too much emphasis on him."

Tonight's clash against Kevin Keegan's men was arranged when Royals signed Shaun Goater from the Blues for £500,000 last summer.

Some of the fees raised will go to the striker's charitable trust fund.

City, who finished 16th in the Premiership last season, will provide the toughest test of Reading's pre-season campaign.

Coppell, though, who once managed City for just six games in 1996, insists he has yet to decide his strongest XI for when Royals kick off their Coca-Cola Championship campaign at home to Brighton next Saturday.

And the boss added: "This is our final game now against some top boys. City beat Wolves last week so I know they will be treating this game seriously.

"We are building up towards Saturday and tonight's game is another step towards that. You want to play a team who are above your level, so this is a good opportunity to see where where we are.

"I look at the squad of players and I am very much convinced that I have got about three or four or even more team permutations with not a great deal between them.

"Next Saturday I will have to go with one of them that I think can get the three points, but I'm not uncomfortable with that.

"You always look back and think maybe you could have done something difference.

"Purely because we have had no injuries I would have liked to have dropped a another game in last week, but inevitably if I'd done that we would have picked up five or six injuries.

"But we are very aware that we have three league games coming up in seven days against quality opposition (Brighton, West Ham and Sheffield United) and a fair amount of travelling.

"We need to get off to a good start and to do that we have to avoid having half the team in the treatment room."

Manchester City are without goalkeeper Gert De Vlieger, who has been ruled out for the season with an Achilles injury.

Star striker Nicolas Anelka and David Sommeil are both doubts, but Paulo Wanchope and Jonathan Macken are definitely travelling with the squad.